[Christina86]

Simon has gone away on a vacation to Kenya for two weeks. He really wanted to be able to come online and leave a post himself, but he didn't have enough time. He's gone as of today and will be back in about two weeks (the 13th of June) - hopefully with pictures and a story to share!

He wanted everyone to know just in case anyone missed him and didn't know where he went to.

(((((((((((((Simon))))))))))))))))))))) - I miss you already my friend!

If anyone wants to get an update from him (if he manages to find the time while he's out there) please send me an email - it's in my profile and I'll try to pass along any new news about him. (Don't send me a PM, I'm taking a vacation from posting at the moment)

[Fuzzybear]

[Christina86]

Simon checked in and sent me an email today. He safely made the trip there. Unfortunately all he's had is rain since he got there, so he's not been able to enjoy his vacation as of yet.

Just in case anyone wanted to know.

[bebop]

tell him to send us the rain here in the se usa! and have a good time

[January]

Tell him I said, "Hi".

Hugs,

Jan

Hey all...or shall i say "Jambo"!!

Just to let you all know i am home from Kenya...and i had a fantastic time! The rain Christina mentioned eventually stopped after 4 solid days of rain, but once the rain stopped and the sun came out it was so hot and i had an absolutely fantastic time.

I did a 3 day safari too, so i have many stories and pictures of that, and memories that will live with me for many many years to come.

The African music, food and culture is so special. the people are so nice and friendly (of what i saw anyway) and they were all so welcoming and funny. They taught me some words in their language, so i know a fair few words in Swahili, and i have exchanged contact information with a couple of them so we shall stay in touch, one of them promised to teach more more Swahili over the next few months.

We met so many English couples staying in our resort too, all of which we will keep in contact with.

It is my 21st birthday in April next year, and we have agreed with some people we met out there that we all want to go back to Kenya, so we shall all go back to the same place together next year at the same time. That would be a very special 21st birthday for me. I will move mountains to make sure i get there for my birthday, i really will!!

Well i will head over to the picture gallery now to upload some snaps of my holiday, so be sure to jump on over and check 'em out!

Simon

[sabby]

(((((((((((((((Simon)))))))))))))

Welcome home! I'm so glad you had the time of your life! What an awesome trip and fabulous memories and it sounds like much more to come! Can't wait to take a looksee at your photos

Hugsssss
Jean

welcome home simon! sounds likean awesome trip!

Thanks guys, it really was an unforgettable time.

The pictures are on the site now for you to take a look at. i have given a short description about each of them. i have uploaded my favourite pictures, in total i took nearly 200 pictures, but have only uploaded about 20 or so. Please, take a look and let me know what you think. Hopefully you will see why i love it so much out there!

Asante sana (thank you very much)

Kwaheri (goodbye)

Simon

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((((( Simon )))))))))))))))))

[Zen888]

Hi Simon

What do you think about Prince Harry & Prince William's concert for their mother?

omg simon! do the monkeys run free and come right to your door??????????????

hehe, they sure do butterfly...if you leave your back door open, they actually come inside and go through your stuff looking for food. luckily we were warned about this before we got to the site so we didnt have it happen to us, but our friends we made out there did have that happen. the monkeys would walk around the site and drink peoples drinks if they were left un-guarded. i have a pic of it, i shall upload it to pics...so funny!

Zen, what makes you ask about the Diana Concert? Pm me regarding it, i'd like that.

Simon

thank you for the answer simon...i just adore monkeys!

simon..........i just saw the picture! do the monkeys get drunk and could you tell if they were?????????????

haha i dont know if they do get drunk, i assume they do... i wouldnt know if one was though, unless they are staggering around singing merrily and laughing constantly...

simon

[Zen888]

Because you are from the UK and I want to know what you think about the concert for Diana.

Although i have been saying how wonderful Kenya was...i did see something awful, something i think will live with me for the rest of my life. let me explain...

On the transfer from the airport to our hotel on the first day, we were going through Mombasa (the pics are on my picture profile) i happened to notice somebody led on the floor. As the bus got closer i noticed it was a teenage Kenyan, no older than 18 years. He was led in a shallow puddle, and he was having a seizure, it may well have been an epileptic fit. His whole body was shaking intensely, his legs were kicking, arms shaking badly too. His eyes were rolled up into his sockets, he looked in severe pain and discomfort. There were dozens of people ont he streets where he was, but nobody was by his side helping him, they ALL walked right past him, a couple of them even stepped over him to continue on their way. It was as though he didnt exist. Nobody looked at him, nobody tried helping him. He was dirty because he was in this water, and he was so young too! I had a huge desire to get out the bus and make sure he was alright, but obviously i couldnt. I had to sit and see him suffer. The bus was going very slowly too, which was worse, eventually i had to close my eyes and look away, i had to do what everyone else was doing - ignore it. The memories i have of him lying there like that will be something i will remember for life, the pain i felt for him, the sadness i had will be with me for life too. Something like that is a huge eye-opener, it makes us realise how lucky we are, no matter how little we think we have in life, seeing living conditions out there makes you see and appreciate the little things in life.

I kind of expected to see these living conditions, after all, we see it on the news everyday, as well as seeing charities raising money for it, but i can honestly say that nothing in this world can prepare you for that. It was hard to witness, sure, but i wish so many more people get the chance to witness the conditions out there, it does make you appreciate the little things we are gifted to have in life. It opens your eyes and soul to a world that we are so distant from.

I plan on going back to Kenya, like i said in a previous post, i do want to go back for another holiday next year, but i mean i want to go back in a few years to do some charity work out there. We can donate as much money as our hearts want, but when you see the conditions out there, its hard to see where the money goes. These charity companies are amazing, and the charity workers are the unseen heroes of this world, all these celebrities we idolise, worship, they arent heroes, it seems to me our culture is focused on certain things, we are almost blind to the suffering that goes on around us. i know many people are aware, and many people care, especially here at PC, but so many people dont know this kind of thing exists, they may see it on TV, but in real life is so different. I was the same, i saw it on TV, i even donated money, but the reality is so different, to see them face to face adds that reality, and the reality is very hard to take in. I do definately plan to return to Kenya one day to do my part, big or small. It is a problem that is nationwide through Africa...not just Africa either, worldwide. In todays day and age where there is so much money available to the us, there is still such poverty and suffering.

I wont forget what i saw out there, things i saw on more than one occasion, and it really has opened my eyes.

Simon

p.s. Zen88, i think the concert is a great idea. I think it is wonderful that such a spectacular women is being remembered 10 years on. Diana was one of this countries heroes, and it links to what i was just saying. She did so much for this country, for this world. I completely agree with the concert, and i give my full respect to her sons for making it happen. The only thing i disagree with, however, is the amount of talk about how she died. I think now, 10 years on from her death, she should be allowed to rest in peace. This countries monarchy will never allow the truth to be found, i think it is time Diana should be remembered for the work she did in her lifetime, and not be remembered for the way she died and who was responsible.

[sabby]

((((((((((((Simon))))))))))))

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have no doubt that you will make a huge impact when you give of yourself. I know what you saw was difficult. I understand how it pulled at your heartstrings. Remember we cannot help everyone, we can only do what we can do to extend our hands. God Bless you Simon for your loving heart and soul.
You will no doubt make a huge impact on many people's lives through your love and support.

Hugsssss
Jean

[DePressMe]

Hi Simon,
I did some work in Mexico—I was not there very long, but it gave me a whole new outlook on life. People were living in shacks on top of and in garbage dumps. It was heartbreaking to sit and eat a lunch with kids begging for your food. It made me realize poverty and hunger is a way of life for many people—especially those who suffer from medical conditions. One thing that changed within me was that I became much more thankful for all the blessings I have and I try to moderate my “extravagances.” I don’t need fancy clothes and I don’t need to eat a big piece of meat at every meal. My theory is, if everybody in the world used moderation in their diet and spending, there would be enough for all people. Not to mention how much better it would be for the environment. It often feels I am not going to make much of an impact because I am just one person, but maybe it will influence my friends…maybe they will influence their friends…I hope some day everybody has food, a safe place to live and education. Until then, there will always be a dark place within my heart.